SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS TO OPEN UNDER STRICT CONDITIONS

Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA

Schools and universities in South African are going to open under strict conditions to curb the spread of COVID-19, officials said.

Speaking through a virtual conference, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said that a number of steps must be taken to ensure the health and safety of the learners and teachers.

Such measures in the plans include; no more than 2 learners sharing desks, no hugging or handshaking, no direct contact, cloth masks to be worn by learners and teachers at all times.

“We are proposing that we will phase grades in. When we say grades 7 and 12 have to come to school, they will have the whole school to themselves. The other grades will only come later,” she said.

She stated that the school management teams should return to work on May 11 to prepare for school opening, teachers to start on May 18.

Motshekga said they wish to carry out awareness campaign particularly in rural areas and sanitize classes before opening the schools.

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said the ordinary universities and colleges will start online education while medical students will return to the campus under strict conditions.